WINGATUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 683, 9 April 1903, Page 15

WINGATUI.

Dunedin, April 7,. During the past few days Ithe local horses who promise to play an important part at Riccarton next week have been doing solid work. The track at Wingatui on Saturday was an the heavy side, as a result of the rains which had fallen during the early portion of the week all the work, was got through on the inside of the course proper. Shortly after seven McGuinness commenced operations by sending Red Gauntlet over seven furlongs. The Lochiel colt broke away from the mark by himself, and was picked up at the five furlongs, post by : Lady Rosslyn, who, favoured by having a feather-weight on her back, for once in a way, galloped generously, and was just showing clear off Red Gauntlet as the pair passed the judge’s box. Red Gauntlet occupied a tick over 32sec in negotiating the seven furlongs. The last five furlongs were left behind in 7£sec, and the last half in 53 4-sscc. Red Gauntlet finished fairly well, and pulled up perfectly sound, although his near hind heel does not bear a very attractive appearance. Pampero and Vladimir (the latter in receipt of a good deal of weight) (were coupled! over seven furlongs, which occupied imin 31 4-ssec, the last six being left behind in Imin 20 sec. The pair finished together, and the Stepniak colt was moving a trifle freer thaa Pampero, but it is to be borne in mind that the latter has become sluggish on the track, and is a different horse under silk. Pampero pulled up perfectly sound, and walked about afterwards with his characteristic buoyancy. Crown Imperial and Lady Babie were put together over five furlongs, and finished together in Imin 9 l-ssec. Ardnarff was escorted over the last five furlongs of a mile by Battler, who strode home in front of the Fitzhercules gelding. Ardnarff left six furlongs behind in Imin sec. Blazer and Petrovna trotted the reverse way to the six furlongs post, and in the break away the first-named obtained about a length and a-half advantage. Turning into the straight Blazer ran wide, but finished half-a-length in front, of the mare in Imin 20sec. Petrovna had the stick shaken /at her at the finish, and’ Blazer was moving more attractively at the end of the task. St. Denis solus raced over six furlongs in a tick outside of Imin 20sec, and like all our great Easter candidates, is in good heart and very fit. At present Blazer, who shaped well on Saturday morning in a gallop with Petrovna, and on Monday last in a gallop with Red Gauntlet, has come into favour. Judging by the way he has comported himself on the track recently, the son of St. Clair and Mountain Lily has regained form, and all going well will give a good account of himself, but I would prefer him over a shorter course. Blazer goes North on Saturday next, and the reason for the delay is to minimise as far as possible any il]-effects which may arise in the event of the hOrse going off his feed after leaving home. Vladimir, St. Denis, and Pampero are a trio whose track work has appealed most to me. Pampero was associated with Vladimir in the last couple af gallops he' had at Wingatui, and although the Stepniak colt was moving more attractively than the other, still he was receiving a liberal concession ’ in weight to all outward appearances, and with the colours tip, and at the difference that they are to meet at in the Easter, I imagine that Pampero will hold the other safe. Pampero again has been able to do track work which compares favourably with that done by any of the other Wingatui-trained lot, and he is likely to go on improving. The going at Riccarton, owing to recent rains, will be in his favopr, and at the present stage Pampero’s chance in the Great Easter reads, in my opinion, second to none. Next to him I like St. Denis apd Orloff